The Technology Classroom of the UPV/EHU and TECNALIA celebrates its 20th anniversary, having welcomed over 300 students

• The programme’s goal is to boost scientific and technological collaboration to promote the training of researchers through the tutoring of the final dissertations and Master’s dissertations, PhD thesis and exchanges between researchers.
• Research has contributed to expanding knowledge in areas such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0, and energy efficiency.
• Following the success of this initiative, UPV/EHU and TECNALIA have also set up three other classrooms: at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Sarriko, at the Faculty of Science and Technology in Leioa, and at the Faculty of Economics and Business of Donostia-San Sebastian.

Bilbao, 8th October 2021. The Technological Classroom of the University of the Basque Country (UOPV/EHU) and the TECNALIA research and technological development centre at the Engineering School of Bilbao celebrated its 20 years of experience, coinciding with the presentation of the diplomas to the 14 students of the 2020-2021 promotion. The event was held this morning at the Engineering School of Bilbao, and was attended by the Rector of the UPV/EHU, Eva Ferreira, the Director of the Engineering School of Bilbao, Charles Pinto, and the Managing Director of TECNALIA, Jesús Valero.

During the event, in addition to reviewing the 20-year history of this initiative and taking stock of the results obtained, the people who have contributed in a unique way to the development of the Classroom were recognised, including: José Antonio López-Egaña (former DG from ROBOTIKER, centre promoting the Classroom); Joseba Jauregizar and Iñaki San Sebastián (former Managing Directors of TECNALIA); Javier Muniozguren and Enrique Amezua (former EIB Directors); and Alfonso Hernández-Frías (Director of EUSKOIKER and former Head of the EIB Classroom).

The UPV/EHU-TECNALIA Technology Classroom of the Engineering School of Bilbao was founded in 2001 as the ROBOTIKER Classroom to promote scientific and technological collaboration between the university and the Research and Technological Development Centre. Within the framework of this collaboration agreement between TECNALIA and the Engineering School of Bilbao, they take on Master’s dissertations, PhD dissertations, conferences, researcher exchanges, and educational cooperation stays.

Since its creation, nearly 300 students have passed through the Technological Classroom of the Engineering School of Bilbao, who have completed their dissertations under the tutelage of 120 researchers from both institutions. They papers has contributed to expanding knowledge in areas of mutual interest such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0, and energy efficiency.

Currently, a total of 57 Doctoral Theses are being developed within the framework of the Technology Classroom, in addition to housing two joint research laboratories that host a total of 65 researchers in the fields of artificial intelligence and offshore renewable energy technologies.

Aside from this first Technology Classroom, at the Engineering School of Bilbao, there are three other similar initiatives within the collaboration framework agreement between UPV/EHU and TECNALIA: the Economy and Innovation Management Classrooms in Sarriko, the Technology Classroom of the Faculty of Science and Technology of Leioa, and the most recent at the Faculty of Economics and Business in of Donostia-San Sebastian.

The Technology Classrooms are an effective tool for strategic collaboration between UPV/EHU and TECNALIA. In addition to the activities developed now, focused on joint research and work, a collaboration focusing on the promotion of entrepreneurial activities and training researchers and doctors is foreseen.

About UPV/EHU

The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), the only public university in the Autonomous Community, is the leading institution of higher education in the Basque Country, and one of the most important in the state in terms of its volume of educational results, and in terms of research, innovation and technological development. It is currently ranked among the Top 400 universities in the world, according to the Shanghai ranking. It has the qualification of Campus of International Excellence, granted by the Ministry of Education. It has promoted, in collaboration with the University of Bordeaux , a cross-border campus that’s unique in Europe, and it’s also part of the ENLIGHT European university.

About TECNALIA

TECNALIA is the largest applied research and technological development centre in Spain, a European benchmark and member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance. We work with companies and institutions to increase their competitiveness, quality of life of people and achieve sustainable growth. We do so thanks to people who are passionate about technology and committed to building a better society.  Its main areas of action are: digital transformation, smart manufacturing, energy transition, sustainable mobility, urban ecosystem, and personalised health.